Investments. We all make them. We invest our time, money, and attention into things every single day. We invest in receiving an education. We invest in going to class. We invest in getting a job. We even invest in driving to our significant other’s place to spend time with them. But what about investing in our health? We spend so much time focusing how we can invest in our future that we often forget what we need to be doing to be healthy right now. What makes it even more difficult is that, from waist trainers to weight-loss pills, there are hundreds of glorified “health investments” in our society that do more harm than good. It’s time to set the record straight. Here are five worth-while investments that everyone should make to improve their health:
1. Find a workout you actually enjoy
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Exercising regularly is extremely important when it comes to investing in overall good health and happiness. It causes a healthy release of endorphins that can result in less stress, ward off anxiety and negative feelings, improve sleep, and boost self-esteem. But even with all of those great benefits, there is no point in exercising regularly if you don’t genuinely enjoy your workout routine. I know that as a woman I feel a lot of pressure to burn calories by doing cardio workouts. But the truth is, I hate doing cardio and I’m not going to waste my time and energy doing something I don’t enjoy, and I suggest you don’t either. My advice is to try all different kinds of workouts until you find one that you really enjoy. Also, don’t lock yourself into one type of exercise. Get a gym membership, explore your options, and try working different areas of your body. There are thousands of different workouts to choose from: hot yoga, zumba, swimming, weight lifting, body weight workouts, etc.
2. Buy organic food when you can
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It’s time to stop investing in those 100-calorie packs of Oreo crackers that we pretend are appetizing, and focus on buying all-natural foods that don’t contain artificial sweeteners and highly processed ingredients. I know from experience that buying all-organic groceries is more expensive. However, I’ve learned that some things are more important to buy organic than others, so I began to prioritize my grocery list. To start, I recommend shopping for all-organic produce, meats, and dairy. Then, attempt to buy all organic snacks. A great place to buy organic is at your local farmer’s market. Not only will you be buying freshly grown produce that is in season, you will be supporting your local farmers as well! As someone who has made the switch to a predominantly organic diet, I guarantee that nourishing your body with delicious and fresh groceries that aren’t highly processed will leave you feeling better.
3. Buy a salt lamp
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Before buying my own salt lamp I assumed that their health benefits were a whole bunch of juju. In fact, I only bought one for decoration purposes! It wasn’t until after I began hearing about all the salt lamp rage that I learned about the science behind salt lamps. Basically, the light heats up the salt crystals within the rock, which in return releases negative ions and that helps to neutralize the positive ions that accumulate in the air. Additionally, because allergens and bacteria tend to attach to positive ions in the air, salt lamps can help to reduce the impact of allergies, colds, headaches, blood system disorders, and skin conditions.
4. Buy all-natural personal-care items and cleaning products
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It’s no secret that buying products with harsh chemicals definitely isn’t doing yourself any favors. By investing in all-natural products you will no longer risk the chance of having harsh and corrosive chemicals being absorbed into the skin or breathed in by the person cleaning. Brands such as Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day, Seventh Generation, and Honest, produce all-natural green cleaners that are both safe and effective. Plus, because they are scented with essential oils, they smell a lot better than stenchy chemical cleaners. Pacifica, Lush, and Burt’s Bees are just a few of the many personal-care companies that create all-natural products that are safe for your skin.
5. Treat yourself
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Sometimes being an adult just downright sucks. Responsibilities are a drag, you’re fed up with your boss at work, you have bills to pay, and sometimes life can feel really overwhelming. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have a little fun every once in a while to keep yourself from getting burned out. Go to the movies on a weeknight instead of staying in and studying, your brain probably needs a break anyway. Go on a weekend retreat with your girls, taking a weekend off from work will not kill you. Take yourself out to a fancy dinner. Splurge on that little red dress you spotted last weekend at Guess. Go to the spa. Whatever it is you enjoy doing, do that!
Although we often tend to associate the word investment with our education or our careers, we cannot do anything without putting proper investment into our health first. Taking care of ourselves will ultimately lead to living a happier and fuller life. Whether it’s making a simple change to your workout routine or replacing all the junk food in your pantry with organic groceries, investing in your health is both a choice and a commitment. Research your local and organic food options, try a local fitness class, take yourself to the new spa that opened up last month. Whatever you do, hold yourself accountable to investing in your health and don’t give up.
Featured image via Karolina Grabowska on Pexels
